KR20090076013A - Television having integrated user interface - Google Patents

Abstract

A television having an integrated user interface is provided to select a characteristic of picture quality and set a characteristic value about the characteristic of picture quality, thereby enabling a user to freely select and adjust an operation plan about the characteristic of picture quality. A signal processing unit(31) processes an image signal inputted through at least one external input terminal from at least one external source device. A display unit(32) displays an image signal among outputs of the signal processing unit. A memory unit(34) stores menu information. The menu information comprises a picture quality expert menu. The picture quality expert menu controls a predetermined image quality characteristic and a characteristic value about the predetermined image quality characteristic. A controller(35) controls the menu information to be displayed on the display unit according to a command of a user.

Description

TV with integrated user interface {TELEVISION HAVING INTEGRATED USER INTERFACE}

The present invention relates to a TV, and more particularly, to a TV having a user interface (UI) for setting characteristics and an operation method for each external source device connected to an external input terminal.

Recently, TV-related technologies are rapidly developing quantitatively and qualitatively as TV technology is changed from analog to satellite broadcasting and digital.

Since the conventional analog TV is capable of transmitting and receiving one video signal and audio signal on one high frequency channel, the viewer has to passively watch one video transmitted from a broadcasting station.

However, in the case of digital TV, since one or more images can be transmitted and received on one high frequency channel, there is an advantage that a user can select and watch various images. In particular, the number of channels broadcast on TV is expected to increase exponentially due to the digital method, which can operate more channels than the analog method in terms of quantity.

In addition, recent digital audio / video products provide various features in addition to the basic functions of existing analog devices. In the case of video players, the VCR, a magnetic tape playback device limited to recording and playback functions, has been converted to a DVD that supports functions such as clear picture quality, chapter selection, various subtitles and voice selection, and TV also includes functions provided by the DVD. As a result, digital TVs are becoming more vivid and clearer.

As such, due to the development of various digital audio / video products and broadcasting technologies, TVs recently released are formed with a plurality of external input terminals for receiving various types of signals output from various external source devices. As the external input terminal, not only an input terminal for receiving airwaves, that is, RF (Radio Frequency) through an antenna, but also for receiving various video signals and audio signals such as Video1, Video2, Component1, Component2, RGB, etc. Input terminals are included. The TV performs screen display and audio output by using a video signal and an audio signal received through the external input terminals.

As described above, various external input source devices are connected to the TV. However, if the user does not remember which external source device the input currently selected on the TV screen is provided from, the user may not be able to watch another input (for example, watching a DVD). You can't switch directly to it if you want. Therefore, the user can find the desired input only by searching a plurality of inputs sequentially by using a key of the remote controller or a key formed in the TV main body and checking the screen for each input.

That is, the conventional TV has a problem that it is not possible to know from which external source device the input selected through the current TV screen is provided unless the user directly checks the external source device connected to each external input terminal of the TV.

In order to solve such a problem, Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-101468 discloses a TV having an input labeling function and a labeling method thereof so that a user can easily grasp information of an external source device for a currently selected input. have.

1 is a view showing a labeling setting menu screen according to the prior art.

1 is a labeling setting screen according to the invention disclosed in the Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2003-101468, when the user selects an input labeling menu (Aux. Label) through a menu screen selection to select an external source device for each input The menu screen including the window 10 is displayed.

Referring to FIG. 1, the input labeling menu displays external input terminals to which an external source device is connected, that is, video 1, video 2, front video, component 1, component 2, and RGB, and the right side of each external input terminal. The selection window 10 for selecting various external source devices (VCR, Cable, Game, DVD, Settop Box, etc.) is displayed.

Accordingly, the user may perform labeling for each external input terminal, that is, selecting an external source device for each external input terminal by using a key of the remote controller or the TV main body.

2 is a diagram illustrating a labeling setting menu screen in a state in which labeling setting is completed according to the related art.

As shown in FIG. 2, according to the related art, a user directly sets information on an external source device connected to each external input terminal, and then, together with information on an external source device connected to each external input terminal, is displayed on the screen. By displaying, the user can easily grasp the name of the external source device for each input currently displayed on the screen.

According to the related art, by displaying the name of the currently selected input and the external source device providing the input on the TV screen, the user is merely informed of the information of the external input source device for the currently selected input.

However, in order for the TV to realize accurate colors by using signals from an external input source device, input range values such as RGB_Full and RGB_Limited, color space, black level and Resolution information must be provided. In particular, the input range value and the black level of the external input source device should be the basic prerequisites for the image quality and the image quality adjustment, but according to the conventional technology, there is a problem that the user cannot accurately know such information.

In addition, analog RGB inputs and digital RGB inputs do not have a protocol that must be followed throughout the industry.Therefore, analog RGB signals output by external source devices according to sales regions, such as Korea, USA, and Europe, There is a difference between digital RGB signals.

As there is a difference in the analog RGB signal and the digital RGB signal output for each external source device according to the sales region as described above, color using the analog RGB signal and the digital RGB signal provided from various external source devices using one TV. If you want to implement the accurate color reproduction can not be a problem that the color expression power is reduced.

In addition, the RGB analog signal outputted from an external source device of the HDML / DVI version 1.2 or lower in the prior art has a problem that an error may occur when setting an input by a user because the exact state value thereof is not known.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a TV that the user can freely adjust the image quality characteristics according to various output signals provided from an external source device.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a TV having an integrated user interface (UI) that can set the input settings and image quality characteristics in the same manner for a variety of external source devices regardless of the sales region.

A TV having an integrated user interface according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a signal processor for processing to output an image signal input from at least one external source device through at least one external input terminal, and the signal processor A menu including a display unit for displaying a video signal during output of a video signal, and an image quality expert menu for adjusting a predetermined image quality characteristic and a characteristic value for the predetermined image quality characteristic according to a form of an output signal output from the external source device. A memory unit for storing information, and the menu information to be displayed on the display unit according to a user's command, and the predetermined image quality characteristic and the characteristic value set by the user through the menu information are stored in the memory unit, The image having the characteristic value is displayed on the display unit It characterized in that a control unit for controlling so.

The menu information further includes a common menu for setting input setting items commonly required regardless of region-specific specifications, and a setting menu for each region type for setting a function required according to region-specific specifications. The area type setting menu and the image quality expert menu are preferably displayed in different areas on the screen.

In addition, the predetermined image quality characteristic may include at least one of a blanking pedestal and an input color.

In addition, the blanking pedestal is set to the default O IRE, it can be changed to 7.5 IRE by the user's selection.

In addition, the input color may be automatically set according to an internal standard or designated by a user's selection.

According to the present invention, the user can select image quality characteristics such as blanking pedestal and input color according to output signals output from various external source devices, and set characteristic values for the image quality characteristics. In addition, the user may freely select and adjust an operation method for the quality characteristic. As a result, when processing signals according to different protocols for each product, saturation of a signal in which data above a certain gray level is not visible, buried phenomenon of a signal in which data below a certain gray level is not visible, and a difference between devices There is an advantage that can prevent the degradation of the image quality caused by the set value.

In addition, according to the present invention by unifying the user interface irrespective of the regional TV specifications, the user can easily set the input settings to the various external source devices in the same way using the same menu screen displayed on the OSD (On Screen Display) There is an advantage.

3 is a block diagram of a TV having an integrated user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the TV 30 having an integrated user interface (UI) according to the present invention includes a signal processor 31, a display unit 32, a speaker unit 33, a memory unit 34, and a controller 35. ).

TV 30 according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of external input terminals (not shown) to receive a video signal and an audio signal from a variety of external source device 20. Here, the external source device 20 is a device for providing a video signal and audio signal to the TV 30, and may include a VCR, a DVD, a settop box, a PC, a satellite receiver, and a cable box. In particular, the video signal output from the external source device 20 may include a composite video baseband signal (CVBS), super video (S-video), scart, component, RGB, HDMI, DIV, and the like. The image signal may be input to the TV 30 and displayed on the display unit 32. In addition, as an external input terminal formed on the TV 30, Video 1, Video 2, Component 1, Component 2, and RGB input terminals may be formed to receive a signal output from the external source device 20.

The signal processor 31 receives an analog video signal and an audio signal and a digital video signal and an audio signal from an external source device 20, and outputs the input video and audio signals to the display unit 32 and the speaker, respectively. Processed to be output through the unit 33.

The display unit 32 displays an image signal of the output of the signal processor 31 on the screen.

The speaker unit 33 outputs an audio signal among the outputs of the signal processing unit 31.

The memory unit 34 includes an image quality expert menu for adjusting a predetermined image quality characteristic and a characteristic value for the predetermined image quality characteristic according to the form of an output signal output from each external source device 20, and a region-specific specification. A common menu for setting commonly required input settings irrespective of a location, a regional type setting menu for setting a required function according to a region-specific specification, and input setting items in a manufacturing step of the TV 30 are set. Stores information about the adjustment menu.

The controller 35 allows menu information stored in the memory 34 to be displayed on the display 32 in the form of an OSD (On Screen Display) according to a user's command. In addition, the controller 35 selects the menu information using a key formed on the remote controller or the TV 30 main body, so that the predetermined image quality characteristics according to the form of the output signal output from the external source device 20. And setting the characteristic value so that the predetermined image quality characteristic and the characteristic value are stored in the memory unit 34. As described above, after the image quality characteristic and the characteristic value according to the output signal type of the external source device 20 are stored in the memory unit 34, the user uses a key formed in the remote controller or the TV 30 to receive a specific external input terminal. When the input provided is selected, the controller 35 controls the display unit 32 to display an image having the set characteristic value.

4 is a diagram illustrating a menu setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the menu setting screen 40 according to the present invention includes a common menu 41 and a region type setting menu 42 for a user to select or set various characteristics and functions of the TV 30. , The quality expert menu 43, and the adjustment menu 44 are displayed in an OSD form. In particular, the common menu 41, the region type setting menu 42, the image quality expert menu 43, and the adjustment menu 44 are divided and displayed in different areas on the screen.

The common menu 41 is for setting input settings commonly required for the external source device 20 regardless of region-specific specifications. As the common menu 41, a picture setting mode for setting brightness, contrast, etc., an aspect ratio, an auto clock phase, and the like are set. A screen menu for setting a sound menu and a sound menu for setting treble, bass and auto volume control may be included.

The regional type setting menu 42 is for setting a region-specific function according to different specifications for each region. That is, the regional type setting menu 42 is for setting a specialized function according to each TV specification because the specifications of the digital TV and the specifications of the analog TV are different from each other according to the sales region of the TV 30. For example, the TV set for the Korean type may include a menu for setting an automatic search and a manual search as the regional type setting menu 42. On the other hand, for European TVs, an Installation Guide menu for providing information for setting up TV 30 or upgrading software as the regional type setting menu 42 and currently received A menu for showing the signal strength may be included.

The image quality expert menu 43 is for selecting predetermined image quality characteristics with respect to an input currently selected by the user, and setting image quality characteristic values for determining an operation method for the selected image quality characteristics. The quality expert menu 43 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

The adjustment menu 44 is for the engineer to make AD converter calibration, panel setting, and setting for each device installed in the factory before the TV 30 is sold. The adjustment menu 44 is a menu specialized for the manufacturing plant, and is preferably not displayed to the general user.

5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image quality expert menu according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the image quality expert menu 43 according to the present invention allows a user to match external input terminals of the TV 30 and external source devices 20 connected to the respective external input terminals. In addition, an input label menu 43-1 for labeling the names of the external source devices 20 connected to the respective external input terminals is provided. White Balance) may be further included.

As a lower menu item of the input label menu 43-1, an external source device selection menu 43-2 for selecting an external source device 20 that can be connected to each external input terminal is linked.

The external source device 20 that may be connected to the external input terminal may include, for example, a VCR, a DVD, a set top box, a satellite receiver, a cable box, a game machine, a PC, and the like.

As the lower menu of the external source device selection menu 43-2, an output signal selection menu 43-3 for selecting an output signal that each external source device 20 can output is linked.

Output signals that may be output from the external source device 20 are as follows. For example, a VCR can output CVBS, S-Video, and Scart signals. DVDs, set-top boxes, satellite receivers, cable boxes, and game machines can output CVBS, S-Video, Scart, Component, RGB, HDMI_DVI, HDMI_HDMI, DVI signals. The PC may output RGB, HDMI_DVI, HDMI_HDMI, and DVI signals.

Next, as a submenu of the output signal selection menu 43-3, a blanking pedestal and an input color for each output signal and an input color according to the type of the output signal of the external source device 20 are used. The image quality characteristic setting menu 43-4 for setting the same quality characteristic is linked. Here, the blanking pedestal refers to a characteristic for making an image signal appear bright or dark according to IRE. In addition, the input color indicates a standard characteristic of the input color and is used to distinguish the color for HD or SD, or to distinguish RGB_Full or RGB_Limited, which shows only a partial region of RGB.

As a lower menu of the image quality characteristic setting menu 43-4, a characteristic value setting menu 43 for setting a characteristic value for the image quality characteristic so that at least one of image quality characteristics such as blanking pedestal and input color can be adjusted for each output signal. -5) is linked.

If the characteristic value of the blanking pedestal is set to 0 IRE, the screen becomes bright, while if the characteristic value of the blanking pedistal is set to a high value such as 7.5 IRE, it becomes darker than the original screen. Therefore, in the present invention, it is preferable to set 0 IRE as a default value as a characteristic value of the blanking pedestal, and to allow a user to select 7.5 IRE.

In addition, the input color is to be changed according to the output of the external source device 20, and should be selected according to the standard of the image used in the country of sale of the TV 30. Therefore, in the present invention, the user may select and set the characteristic value of the input color for each output type of the external source device 20. For example, the user may separately set the color for HD or the color for SD as a characteristic value of the input color, or separately set RGB_Full for showing the entire area of RGB or RGB_Limited for showing only a partial area of RGB.

On the other hand, as shown as 'AUTO' in the characteristic value setting menu 43-5 of FIG. 5, the characteristic value of the input color may be automatically set according to the internal reference of the TV 30.

As such, although the user may set the blanking pedestal and input color directly, this content will be easy to adjust only if the general user has experience of a professional user who is difficult to understand and has a professional opinion.

Therefore, for the professional user, the characteristic value for the blanking pedestal and the input color can be selected using the characteristic value setting menu 43-5, and for the general user, as the characteristic value for the characteristic value setting menu 43-5. The blanking pedestal can be set to a default value such as '0 IRE' and the input color 'AUTO'.

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can select image quality characteristics such as a blanking pedestal and an input color according to an output signal output from each external source device 20, and set characteristic values for the image quality characteristics. The user can freely adjust the operation method for the image quality characteristics. As a result, even when a plurality of external source devices 20 output signals according to different protocols, according to the present invention, the user can freely select and adjust image quality characteristics according to the output of each external source device 20. When processing signals according to different protocols for each product, saturation of the signal becomes invisible, and signal buried in which data below a certain gradation is invisible, and different settings for each device It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the image quality caused by the value.

In addition, according to the present invention, by unifying the user interface irrespective of the regional TV specifications, the user can set input settings to various external source devices in the same manner using the same menu screen displayed by the OSD. Accordingly, regardless of the regional TV specifications, it is possible to implement an integrated platform that can provide the same user interface to the user.

Although the technical spirit of the present invention has been described in detail according to the above-described preferred embodiment, it should be noted that the above-described embodiment is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that various embodiments are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

1 is a view showing a labeling setting menu screen according to the prior art.

2 is a diagram illustrating a labeling setting menu screen in a state in which labeling setting is completed according to the prior art;

3 is a block diagram of a TV having an integrated user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a menu setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image quality expert menu according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: Selection window 20: External source device

30: TV 31: signal processing unit

32: display unit 33: speaker unit

34: memory unit 35: control unit

40: Menu Setting Screen 41: Common Menu

42: Setup menu by region type 43: Quality expert menu

43-1: Input Label Menu 43-2: External Source Device Selection Menu

43-3: Output signal selection menu 43-4: Picture quality setting menu

43-5: Characteristic setting menu 44: Adjustment menu

Claims (5)

A signal processor for processing an image signal input from at least one external source device through at least one external input terminal; A display unit which displays a video signal of an output of the signal processor; A memory unit for storing menu information including an image quality expert menu for adjusting a predetermined image quality characteristic and a characteristic value for the predetermined image quality characteristic according to a form of an output signal output from the external source device; The menu information is displayed on the display unit according to a user's command, and the predetermined image quality characteristic and the characteristic value set by the user through the menu information are stored in the memory unit, and the image having the characteristic value is displayed on the display unit. TV with an integrated user interface, characterized in that it comprises a control unit for controlling to be displayed on the unit. The method of claim 1, The menu information further includes a common menu for setting input settings commonly required regardless of region-specific specifications, and a region-specific setting menu for setting functions required according to region-specific specifications. And the common menu, the region type setting menu, and the image quality expert menu are displayed in different areas on the screen. The method of claim 1, The predetermined image quality characteristic of the TV having an integrated user interface, characterized in that it comprises at least one of Blanking Pedestal and Input Color. The method of claim 3, The blanking pedestal is a TV with an integrated user interface, characterized in that the O IRE is set to a default value, can be changed to 7.5 IRE by the user's selection. 4. The TV with integrated user interface according to claim 3, wherein the input color can be automatically set according to internal criteria or specified by user selection.

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